Ethiopia has announced plans to plant more than 8 billion tree seedlings during the upcoming rainy season, as part of its ongoing national reforestation drive under the Green Legacy Initiative, according to a statement issued in Addis Ababa on 14 June 2026 and reported on 15 June 2026.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said the seedlings have already been prepared for this year’s planting exercise, which mobilizes citizens across the country to participate in large-scale environmental restoration efforts.
Launched in 2019, the Green Legacy Initiative has become one of Ethiopia’s flagship environmental programmes, aimed at restoring degraded land, expanding forest cover, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting biodiversity conservation through mass tree planting.
Government figures indicate that more than 48 billion seedlings have already been planted over the past six years. With the addition of this year’s target, Ethiopia is moving closer to surpassing its long-standing goal of planting 50 billion trees.
Authorities also emphasize that the programme supports broader development goals by encouraging the cultivation of multi-purpose and fruit-bearing trees, which are intended to contribute not only to ecological restoration but also to improved food security.
Prime Minister Abiy has urged citizens from all regions and sectors of society to take part in the campaign, describing it as an effort to “plant hope for a greener tomorrow” while reinforcing national commitment to environmental sustainability.